St. John's Anglican Church (Eagle Lake, Ont.) was built in 1888 by Thomas Quirt, Arthur Smythe, John Ardiel, and John Ralston at the head of Eagle Lake on an acre of land given by Walter Joy. The foundation was laid on April 25, 1888 and the first service was held on July 22, 1888. Bishop Sullivan visited the church in 1889 and 1890 to hold confirmations.
Curiously the church wasn't consecrated or dedicated after it was built. In June 1903 a driving shed was built and first organ (purchased 1901) was paid for. In 1912-1913 there was complete renovation and a stone foundation was put under the building and the vestry built. St. John’s was again renovated between 1958 and 1959.
On May 18, 1966 St John's was finally consecrated by Bishop Wright. On August 23, 1959 a plaque in was unveiled in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Quirt. Additionally, four stained glass windows created by David Morgan were dedicated in memory of the pioneer families in the area on July 4, 1982 by Bishop Nock.
The church is currently a seasonal (summer) church within the Anglican Diocese of Algoma, Deanery of Muskoka, Almaguin Anglican Parish (Sundridge, Ont.)
Incumbents have included: George Gander (1887-1899), Rev. C.J.A. Batstone (1900-1901), E.J. McKittrick (1902-1906), Rev. A.P. Banks (1906-1907), Rev. L.A. Trotter (1907-1912), Rev. Sidney F. Yeomans (1912-1913), Canon Edward F. Pinnington (1913-1916), Rev. Fred W. Clayton (1916-1917), Rev. J. Norman (1917-1921), Rev. J.V. Templeton (1921-1922), J.H. Pogson (?), rev. W. Daniels (1923-1925), Rev. G.H. Phillips (1926), Rev. W.M. Whiteley (1927-1940), Canon R.H. Fleming (1941-1948), Rev. L. B. Willis (1948-1954), Canon S.F. Yeomans (1954-1956), C.F. Passey (1956-1958), Mr. Ernie. D. Eldridge (1958-1961), Rev. McKenzie-Smith (1961), Rev. Ross Creighton (1961-1962), Rev Robert Cuyler (1962-1963), Lloyd Hoover (1964-1974), Rev. Gregory Lynn (1974-1976), Rev. Duncan Lyon (1976-1981), Clifford Train (1975-1986), Rev. Elliott Sheppard (1981-1991), W.J. Gigg (Summer 1987, 1988), Rev. Alan Eric Knight (1992-?).
Sources:
- Lola McCaig, "First 100 years, 1888-1988, of St. John's, Eagle Lake", The Algoma Anglican 35, no. 9 (1988): 6.
- T.B. Higginson, “Historical Notes”, [1992-2007], Alan Knight fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-220_001_018.
- “Clergy”, [1992-2007], Alan Knight fonds, Algoma University Archives, part of 2009-220/001(027).
